Sandwell College Services for Schools Brochure 2016

RATED GOOD BY Ofsted

Services for Schools

WELCOME Welcome to Sandwell College, one of the newest Further Education colleges in the UK. Our objective is to give young people the best possible transition from school to college and get them into top universities and careers.

Our staff and governors are very proud of our students’ success.

This success is a growing sign of improving standards in the borough and that young people have access to high quality education in local schools and colleges without the need to travel out of the area. It is also testimony to the work of our partner schools in helping our young people on their journey to achieving these fantastic results.

We have amazing resources second to none and our students speak with real passion about the college. We help students achieve their goals and take their next step, whether that be further progression with us, Higher Education, or employment and training.

Thank you for your support in making Sandwell College truly outstanding.

Graham Pennington Principal, Sandwell College

WELCOME Welcome to Central Sixth where aspiration meets inspiration. Central Sixth is the A Level Centre for Sandwell College. With our home in an iconic, dedicated sixth form centre in the centre of West Bromwich, Central Sixth offers high quality and inspirational education to the students of the region.

Central Sixth combines an adult ethos with a safe and supportive environment. We help students every step of the way to make the transition from school to university and employment. The students who join us are ambitious to do well and we work with them to ensure that they meet their full potential.

A Levels are challenging and stretching qualifications and they require hard work and dedication. With the help of our team of specialist A Level lecturers we work with young people and their parents to bring out the best from our students. All the staff are experienced and dedicated A Level lecturers with a track record of getting good results.

We are rightly proud of our results. This year we had a 100% pass rate in 20 different subjects and 99% of our students successfully passed their A Levels, with many achieving top grades. The number of our students successfully progressing to university was way above the national average at 91%.

Choose Central Sixth as your next step on the ladder to success.

Dr Matt Lamb Assistant Principal, Sandwell College Director of Central Sixth, Sandwell College

Jessica Lewis Schools Liaison & External Relations Manager E: jessica.lewis@sandwell.ac.uk T: 0121 667 5359

Kelly Whitehouse Schools Liaison Co-ordinator E: kelly.whitehouse@sandwell.ac.uk T: 0121 667 5359

Dedicated Schools

At Sandwell College we understand and recognise the importance of working in partnership with Schools, Parents/Carers and Pupils in order to promote choice and equal opportunities to all. Our Schools Liaison service offers schools access to an extensive range of information, advice and guidance and an array of activities delivered free of charge both on and off site by our dedicated team.

We are 100% committed to helping you equip, inform, engage and inspire your students providing them with the relevant resources required to make the best decisions about their education and future. Whether your students are interested in A levels, Vocational qualifications or Apprenticeships we can offer advice and guidance in all areas.

All of our activities are designed to challenge, motivate and encourage pupils to research and explore the various avenues that may lead them into their chosen career.

We are available to visit Schools all year round, covering events such as careers fairs, parents and options evenings and workshops, and providing assembly presentations. We also offer a range of activities at both of our Campuses: Central Sixth, our dedicated A level Centre, and Central Campus for all of our Vocational programmes.

If you or your students would like to take advantage of any of this exciting range of activities, book a tour, or simply have some more information, then please do not hesitate to contact one of our dedicated team.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm regards,

Jessica and Kelly

Dedicated Schools Liaison Team

Liaison Team

100% pass rates in 65 courses 100% pass rates in 20 different A Levels 91% of A Level students got straight into university

Students develop very good personal, social and employability skills that prepare them well for further study and for the world of work.

Ofsted

Sandwell College

Choose a college course or apprenticeship at Central Campus. There are nearly 3,000 young people studying at Central Campus, learning the skills they need for the world of work. For many of them, our skills based courses are a route to university.

Students who take subjects such as Business Studies, Computing, Engineering, Multimedia and Photography often go on to do a university degree. Most of our courses are a way of moving on from purely ‘book learning’ to a more practical, ‘hands-on’ way of gaining the knowledge and abilities that employers look for. These courses equip you for the jobs you want to apply for later; you can learn to diagnose a fault and strip and engine, or design a costume and dress a model; you can learn how to create wealth or how to promote health, how to plaster and paint or how to do make-up and colouring.

Whether it’s tap dancing or plumbing, handling animals or operating a lathe, we can teach you how to do it to professional standards. For some young people, who are keen and ready to start work, our apprenticeships offer the opportunity to learn while-you-earn, with good prospects of a permanent job and a long-term career upon completion. Come to one of our open events and see which course is right for you! If you’re really not sure about what you want to do, our award-winning Advice and Guidance team can help you to make the right decision.

We have 100% pass rates in 65 courses, including Diploma in Plastering Level 2, Diploma in Plumbing Level 2, Diploma in Painting and Decorating Level 3, Diploma in Carpentry Level 3, Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling Level 1, Diploma in IT Level 3, Diploma for IT Users Levels 1 and 2, Diploma in Business Levels 2 and 3, Certificate in Photography Level 2, Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Levels 2 and 3, Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Levels 2 and 3, Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Diploma in Nail Services Level 3, Diploma in Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance Level 2, Extended Diploma in Public Services Level 3 and many more.

Last year 100% of our university applicants from Automotive, Art & Design, Beauty, Multimedia, Pharmacy and Travel went on to higher education!

Sandwell College Central Campus

Central Campus

An aspirational sixth form for The WEST MIDLANDS

Sandwell College

Central Sixth

Our Central Sixth Prospectus has all the details of our A Level provision, which you can also find on our website at www.sandwell.ac.uk/Sixth-Form Come to one of our Open Events, where you can discuss whether A Levels are the right choice for you, talk to our lecturers about which A Levels you should be studying, and find out more about the different subjects on offer.

We will give you impartial advice on which A Levels are the right choice for you and what subjects to take for university entrance and the best career prospects. Importantly, if we don’t think that A Levels are the right option for you, we will say so, and we will talk you through the range of other courses and apprenticeships that we run at Central Campus. We accept applications from Year 11 and Year 12 students. We offer AS and A Level subjects for our students across the full range of academic disciplines, including: Accounting

English Language & Literature

Maths (Mechanics)

Biology

Film Studies

Media Studies

Art and Design Business Studies Chemistry

Drama & Theatre Studies Economics

English Language English Literature

Extended Project AS Level French

Geography

Health & Social Care History ICT

Law

Maths (Statistics) Physics Politics

Psychology

Religious Studies Sociology

GCSE Maths

High achieving students will be given the opportunity to increase their chances of getting into top universities by completing the Extended Project. This involves researching a topic that you are passionate about and then producing a 5,000 word dissertation and presentation at the end of Year 2.

Sandwell College Central Sixth

Choose A Levels at Central Sixth. Our specialist Sixth Form Centre teaches A Levels and nothing but A Levels. It’s a great choice if you have your eyes fixed on going to university or straight into one of the professions. The lecturers are A Level specialists and there are none of the distractions of studying in a mainstream school or college.

What we can offer At your School…

Apprenticeship presentations Assembly talks Career activities CEIAG CV writing Career carousel Employer visits (subject to dates) Esol delivery on site (costs apply) Guest speakers Free information and guidance sessions from qualified IAG staff members Mock interviews Options evenings Next steps Parents evenings Skills workshops Stress buster workshops

At College…

Alternative provision – 14-16 (funding criteria apply)

Apprenticeship advice sessions Campus tours / visits Discovery days Have a go sessions Inspirational student led sector specific shows Taster days

SCHOOL TASTER DAYS

ay ool Taster D Waverley Sch

Thank you to all of the schools who participated in our most recent Taster Days.

It was great to welcome so many students from a variety of schools including Waverley High School, St Paul’s School for Girls, Stuart Bathurst, Kingsbury and Pedmore School of Technology. The day was action packed with a variety of Taster sessions which included Art and Design, Performing Arts, Construction and Engineering.

The Schools Liaison Team T: 0121 667 5359 E: schools.liaison@sandwell.ac.uk

WHAT WE CAN OFFER

We are hosting another Taster Day on Thursday 24th March 2016, 10.00am – 2.30pm and it would be great if you and your students could attend. Places are limited so please do get in touch now to reserve your space.

Waverley

Waverley

St Paul’s School

For Girls

2 Leasowes Group

Whiteheath PRU

1 Leasowes Group

Stuart Bathurst

logy Pedmore Techno

It was really interesting to see the different types of technology you have and for the children to see them in action. They really enjoyed all the practical activities, especially the key rings! The children had an absolutely fantastic day and it has given them aspirations to attend there when they are older. Thank you so much!

Shelley Holland, Springfield Primary

FAB LAB

Anne Scrimshaw helps anyone to make amazing things.

She is no stranger to making unusual things; she started building and racing hovercraft at 13 and was on 9 episodes of Scrapheap Challenge.

Fab Lab event with Springfield Primary School

As well as being a professional Engineer, she is also a surprisingly good Artist, having taught traditional painting skills for a number of years. The combination works well in the Fab Lab as it aims to blend skills across areas and tries to make the business of making something as easy, and low cost as possible, using the best of modern technology.

We would like schools to come along and see what we have on offer.

We can arrange workshops or something bespoke for you and your pupils.

So whether you want to create a key ring for design technology, or recreate an Egyptian pot for history, or just show students the latest in 3D printing, we can organise a session for you.

The Fab Lab’s brand new inspirational kit includes: ■ A large format CNC router for furniture ■ A laser cutter for smaller items such as jewellery and fabrics ■ An electronics suite to design and make circuit boards and chips ■ A vinyl cutter for multi-coloured signage and antennae ■ A micro-precision milling machine to make circuit boards ■ 3D printers to create from plastic ■ A moulding and casting suite for rubbers and plasters

FAB LAB

The Fab Lab is open to individuals and businesses, who want to make things. Fab Labs are transforming traditional prototyping, turning the long and expensive process into one that can quickly and cheaply develop something that works and looks good.

ACT ON IT

THEATRE IN

SCHOOLS New youth theatre starting! Aged 14-21?

Always wanted to be on the stage?

ACT ON IT There’s a Youth Theatre starting up in West Bromwich, Sandwell College. It’s for all the young people in the region, so come and get involved!

This is your chance to get in at the very start and help to make our Youth Theatre a springboard for aspiring actors.

Interested? Email emily.chell@sandwell.ac.uk and she’ll keep you in touch with all of our exciting plans.

ACT ON IT – THEATRE IN SCHOOLS

SANDWELL COLLEGE FUTURE SKILLS

apprenticeships

Apprenticeships Sandwell College offers a fantastic range of Intermediate (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 3) Apprenticeships that can take school leavers directly into the world of work, supported by industry trained tutors and assessors. Apprentices also have access to excellent facilities and resources, from Automotive workshops, to Dental Clinical Environments.

Apprenticeship delivery is usually 1 day per week at College and the rest of the week in the workplace.

The knowledge element is delivered at college and the competence element in the workplace.

Pupils need to have maths and English GCSE grades A to E to be considered for a Level 2 Apprenticeship Programme. Pupils entering a Level 3 Apprenticeship need to have maths and English GCSE grades A to C, and must have a science GCSE grade A to C if they are entering Dental Nursing or Pharmacy.

If you require any further information about Apprenticeship Vacancies, please contact a member of Sandwell College Apprenticeship Department on 0121 667 5018.

Apprenticeships available: Business Administration Childcare Customer Service Dental Nursing Engineering Hairdressing Health and Social Care Light Vehicle Mechanics Painting & Decorating Pharmacy Vehicle Re-finishing Plastering Carpentry Brickwork

SANDWELL COLLEGE FUTURE SKILLS – apprenticeships

– Earn WHILE you Learn

STUDENT SUCCESS Do you recognise any of your old students?

Simeon Beckett, Performing Arts Moseley School An appearance on X Factor as a backing dancer for Rita Ora was swiftly followed by an offer from one of the UK’s finest performing arts colleges for Simeon. He successfully auditioned for a place at the prestigious Urdang Academy in London – a leading dance school with many recent graduates in lead West End roles. No stranger to the spotlight, he was selected by Sports Leaders UK to represent the West Midlands region at Westminster as a special guest at the House of Lords.

Jordan Davies, Engineering George Salter Academy, West Bromwich Jordan got great hands-on experience when he worked on the new IRacer, the world’s first electronic kit car built at Westfield and developed in Birmingham City University. The project was part of the Birmingham Made Me Design Expo at Millennium Point, showcasing the best design and innovation in the Midlands.

After also making a good impression with JLR component supplier Berck on a recent work placement, Jordan was offered his engineering apprenticeship by the company.

Pavanjit Kaur, Medicine Wodensborough Ormiston Academy, Wednesbury Former Central Sixth student Pavanjit is now studying medicine at the University of Birmingham, after gaining an A* in biology and A grades in maths and chemistry.

She also got a glimpse of life as a first-year undergraduate student at the University of Cambridge when she was accepted for summer school there. Just 500 students manage to win a place, attending lectures and lab classes while living in the Cambridge halls of residence.

Jemma Farley, Fashion Wood Green Academy, Wednesbury Jemma personally secured a highly coveted work experience opportunity with royal millinery designer Rachel Trevor Morgan, who makes hats for the Queen.

She completed the Level 3 Art & Design course, creating bold designs and experimenting with a variety of materials. She even used garden wire for the bow on one of her dresses. She presented her sketchbook work to HRH Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, during the official opening of the college and exchanged design tips with BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee finalist Lauren Guthrie, who visited the fashion department.

Ashley landed a top job, after gaining experience of first line IT support and dealing with customers through the college apprenticeship scheme. “I knew I wanted a career in IT and when I saw the opportunity to do an apprenticeship with the IT team at Sandwell College, I thought it was a great chance for me to get a foot in the door and achieve my ambitions,” he says. By 19 Ashley had completed his Level 2 and Level 3 Customer Service apprenticeships and went on to become a Portal Application Analyst at CapGemini – one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services.

Leanne Brown, Public Services Leasowes High School, Halesowen Winner of the Overall Public Services Student of the Year Award, Leanne achieved a full complement of distinctions and never missed a day of college.

She is keen to pursue a career in the Police force and was selected to take part in a political debate with former Labour Party Leader, Ed Miliband, and Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg. The Q & A session was held at Sandwell College under the spotlight of national and local media as part of the Opposition’s One Nation tour.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Ashley Barker, Customer Service The Kingswinford School, Dudley

College Calendar of Events We are hosting Taster Days on...

Thursday 24th March 2016 Thursday 19th May 2016 Thursday 7th July 2016 All days 10.00am – 2.30pm

DISCOVERY DAYS

Discovery Days are designed for applicants to come in and discover more about their chosen courses. We hold a variety throughout the year. Please call the team on 0121 667 5359 for a list of dates for each course.

OPEN DAYS

Thursday 21 April 5pm – 8pm Thursday 23 June 5pm – 8pm Saturday 25 June 10am – 2pm

THIS IS A CAREERS COLLEGE

Useful Contacts

We know that the transition from School to College life is a big step and we want to ensure that we work together to make it a journey of new discovery and success.

Admissions – Chris Powell

0121 667 5447

Additional Support – Jane Hall

0121 667 5355

Careers & Work Experience – Paul Smith & Urcenette Adoti

0121 667 5213

Learner Support – Penny Hayward & Jackie Humphries

0121 667 5210

Student Union – David Hughes

0121 667 5425

Sports Co-ordinator – Matt Hammett

0121 667 5259

Welfare – Ann Hay & Naomi Lear

0121 667 5472

College Calendar of Events & Useful Contacts

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the key staff listed below, either before the start of term or at any time in the future.

Natalie

Made it happen with Beauty Therapy Now: Beauty business owner and Steiner cruise ship therapist “The help and support I had at college were really good. The course has been ideal for giving me opportunities in the industry.”

Laura

Made it happen with Customer Service Now: Working in recruitment for the AA “My apprenticeship got me into the AA, helped me to kick start my career and build on that. I am now in a higher position with more responsibility.”

Denise

Made it happen with Photography Now: Official photographer for London Fashion Week and the London Marathon “I never expected to be where I am today.

I’m covering events that I used to only see on TV!”

Marlon and Leon

Made it happen with Sports Studies Now: Studying sports therapy and management at university “We had both already been offered university places before we even completed our BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport.”

Simeon

Now: Studying at the Urdang Academy in London “I appeared on X Factor as a backing dancer for Rita Ora and was then offered a place at one of the UK’s finest performing arts colleges. Many of its graduates are in lead West End roles.”

Sandwell College have worked with our Year 11 Employability Skills programme over the past year.

They are extremely professional and always willing to help. Their input to the sessions has been invaluable to the students. In particular the Headhunter programme has enabled students to identify their own skills and qualities and learn how to bring them out in the workplace. Students have participated in face-toface mock interviews which will help to prepare them for entering the world of work.

Further links have been forged as Sandwell Academy students have visited the College; in particular participating in a working lunch, a tour and celebration event with the opportunity to present awards to the employers who have assisted in the programme.

Michelle Smith, Sandwell Academy

TESTIMONIALS

Made it happen with Dance

TASTER DAY EVENTS FEEDBACK 100% rated event excellent 100% said they would like to attend again 100% said it was extremely relevant 100% said they would recommend it to other schools 100% said they enjoyed all of the activities on the day 100% said the staff/students were friendly and welcoming on the day

Emel was really impressed by the day, she said the organisation was excellent and they felt really looked after, and the activities were great. She said it’s the best taster day she’s been to.

Thank you for being excellent hosts and for the opportunities that you gave our students on Thursday.

Could you also pass on my thanks to your colleagues who gave interesting and relevant delivery during the day.

Kiah Bond, Waverley School

Katherine Jones, St Paul’s School For Girls

The group have just returned from their trip to Sandwell and they have all said how much they have enjoyed it and that they have learnt so much. I would like to thank you and all your staff at Sandwell for working so hard to accommodate our students and make their visit so beneficial especially after you have had other events going on at college this week.

I look forward to working with you and the college on other events.

Thank you once again on behalf of the staff and students who came to Sandwell.

Their feedback was very positive and we would like to repeat the visit next year.

Sandwell College have worked with our Year 11 Employability Skills Programme over the past year.

They are extremely professional and always willing to help. Their input to the sessions has been invaluable to the students. In particular the Headhunter Programme has enabled students to identify their own skills and qualities and learn how to bring them out in the workplace. Students have participated in face-to-face mock interviews which will help to prepare them for entering the world of work.

Further links have been forged as Sandwell Academy students have visited the College; in particular participating in a working lunch, a tour and celebration event with the opportunity to present awards to the employers who have assisted in the programme.

Michelle Smith, Sandwell Academy

Can I just start by thanking you for allowing our students to gain college experience. They really got a lot out of the workshops and college environment.

They where buzzing when they returned to school (bless them). Lunch was great also. Hope to hear from you again next year.

Sarah Newell Yr 10 Co-ordinator, Stuart Bathurst

After year 10 recently visited your college both students and staff left amazed by the facilities you have on offer. Thanks for the picture and support you have offered our year 10 students. PTC look forward to visiting Sandwell College in the very near future.

Daniel Smallwood, Pedmore Technology College

TESTIMONIALS

Fleur Weddle, Careers Adviser, Kingsbury School & Sports College

RATED GOOD BY Ofsted

Central Campus

1 Spon Lane, West Bromwich, B70 6AW

RATED GOOD BY Ofsted

Central Sixth

New Square, New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG

Course enquiries: 0800 622 006

www.sandwell.ac.uk enquiries@sandwell.ac.uk SandwellCollege

@sandwellcollege